BACKGROUND: Self-medication has been proposed as an explanation for the high rates of comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders; however, knowledge of self-medication in PTSD is scarce. We describe the prevalence and correlates of self-medication in PTSD in the general population. METHODS: Data came from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave 2 (N=34,653; response rate: 70.2%), a nationally representative survey of mental illness in community-dwelling adults. Self-medication was assessed separately for alcohol and drugs. Prevalence rates were determined for self-medication among individuals with DSM-IV PTSD. Regression analyses determined associations between self-medication and a variety of correlates, including sociodemographic factors, comorbid mental disorders, suicide attempts, and quality of life. RESULTS: Approximately 20% of individuals with PTSD used substances in an attempt to relieve their symptoms. Men were significantly more likely than women to engage in self-medication behavior. In adjusted models, using illicit drugs or misusing prescription medications to control PTSD symptoms was associated with a substantially higher likelihood of dysthymia and borderline personality disorder. After controlling for mental disorder comorbidity, self-medication was independently associated with higher odds of suicide attempts (adjusted odds ratio=2.46; 95% confidence interval 1.53-3.97) and lower mental health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Self-medication is a common behavior among people with PTSD in the community, yet has potentially hazardous consequences. Health care practitioners should assess reasons for substance use among people with PTSD to identify a subgroup with higher psychiatric morbidity. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
BACKGROUND: Self-medication has been proposed as an explanation for the high rates of comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders; however, knowledge of self-medication in PTSD is scarce. We describe the prevalence and correlates of self-medication in PTSD in the general population. METHODS: Data came from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave 2 (N=34,653; response rate: 70.2%), a nationally representative survey of mental illness in community-dwelling adults. Self-medication was assessed separately for alcohol and drugs. Prevalence rates were determined for self-medication among individuals with DSM-IV PTSD. Regression analyses determined associations between self-medication and a variety of correlates, including sociodemographic factors, comorbid mental disorders, suicide attempts, and quality of life. RESULTS: Approximately 20% of individuals with PTSD used substances in an attempt to relieve their symptoms. Men were significantly more likely than women to engage in self-medication behavior. In adjusted models, using illicit drugs or misusing prescription medications to control PTSD symptoms was associated with a substantially higher likelihood of dysthymia and borderline personality disorder. After controlling for mental disorder comorbidity, self-medication was independently associated with higher odds of suicide attempts (adjusted odds ratio=2.46; 95% confidence interval 1.53-3.97) and lower mental health-related quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Self-medication is a common behavior among people with PTSD in the community, yet has potentially hazardous consequences. Health care practitioners should assess reasons for substance use among people with PTSD to identify a subgroup with higher psychiatric morbidity. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Authors: Matthew A Stimmel; Joel Rosenthal; Jessica Blue-Howells; Sean Clark; Alex H S Harris; Anna D Rubinsky; Thomas Bowe; Andrea K Finlay Journal: Psychol Serv Date: 2018-04-30
Authors: Miriam K Forbes; Julianne C Flanagan; Emma L Barrett; Erica Crome; Andrew J Baillie; Katherine L Mills; Maree Teesson Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2015-09-14 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Amber M Jarnecke; Nicholas P Allan; Christal L Badour; Julianne C Flanagan; Therese K Killeen; Sudie E Back Journal: Addict Behav Date: 2018-10-16 Impact factor: 3.913